Archive: Another tragedy for pastor

March 24, 2002|Gwen O'Brien | South Bend Tribune

The Rev. William Schooler, pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, is guiding his parishioners through another difficult time. David Arpasi Sr., a St. Pius parishioner, was one of four Bertrand Products employees gunned down Friday. (South Bend Tribune/BARBARA ALLISON)

The Rev. William Schooler has been the pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger for nine months.

In that short period, he has consoled and counseled four families through times that could shake anyone's faith.

The current tragedy is the death of parishioner David Arpasi Sr. The 73-year-old Granger man was one of four people shot to death Friday morning at Bertrand Products Inc. in South Bend by co-worker William Lockey.

"Dave was one of the first people that welcomed me to the parish," said Schooler, who was visibly troubled Saturday afternoon. "My heart breaks for the family."

Arpasi was an usher and a Eucharist minister at the 8:45 a.m. Mass.

"He was very faithful in the way he'd usher," Schooler said. "He was always well-dressed. He was careful in how he seated people. He had a gentle way about him."

Schooler took over as pastor in July.

In August, parishioner John Derbiszewski, 17, drowned in Lake Michigan on an outing with friends.

On Sept. 11, Katie McCloskey, the daughter of parishioners, died in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. She had worked on the 97th floor of the north tower.

In November, a female 17-year-old parishioner disappeared with a male Penn High School administrator. Her parents did not hear from her until the two were found safe in Orlando, Fla., a month later.

And now, Arpasi's murder.

"It's been a very difficult time for the parish," Schooler said. "We've had a lot of tragedy. All tragedies are so difficult. It's our common faith that gets us through, no doubt about it."

Arpasi was killed just two days before the beginning of Holy Week.

"We're commemorating the suffering and the death of Christ and the apparent triumph of evil. Our faith tells us that resurrection follows death and those who die with Christ, rise with him. Jesus was murdered also," Schooler said.

Arpasi will be missed at the 8:45 service this morning.

Larry Landy and his wife would regularly meet Arpasi and his wife, Darlene, at Mass and then go to breakfast together.

"We'd sit in the same row with them, or right behind each other," Landy said. "I was just thinking about how strange it will be not to see him there."

Landy and Arpasi had once been brothers-in-law. Landy's wife, Jinx, is sisters with Arpasi's late wife. They remained as close as family since her death.

"Darlene, Dave, Jinx and I and the whole big gang would then go to breakfast together at Honkers," Landy said.